Douching apparatus



. DOUCHIN G APPARATUS Katherine M. Tenscher, Fresno, Calif., assignor of sixty i percent to Katherine M. Tenscher andRobert Phillip v Fired May s, 195s, ser. No. 732,988

z claims. (c1. 12s-227) The present invention relates to a donching apparatus and more particularly to a concealable donching apparatus adapted to deliver donching fluids at substantially constant temperature and pressure and which is usable with a minimum of eifort and inconvenience.

ln the past, douches, enemas and other body cleansing or purging treatments have usually been administered with the aid of so-called hot water bottles. An elongated hose is connected to the outlet of the hot water bottle, and a vaginal or rectal pipe, or other tting is connected to the hose. When a douche, for example, is self-administered, the hot water bottle, filled with liquid and possibly including medicaments, is usually held upwardly in one hand and the pipe manipulated with the other hand to allow the liquid in the bottle to gravitate downwardly through the hose and out of the pipe. This is obviously an awkward, uncomfortable and inconvenient task. For Vinvalids, disabled individuals, and the like, it may be an impossible procedure to perform alone. Further, even when adroitly performed, the pressure and temperature of the liquid issuing from the pipe constantly decrease since no means are provided for maintaining uniform pressure and temperature.

Additionally, it is sometimes difficult or impossible effectively to mix or pour medicaments in a conventional hot water bottle with its restricted outlet. Since these bottles are commonly made of opaque rubber, the contents cannot be seen, and thus, there is no way of knowing how much liquid remains in the bottle at any particular time Yduring use other than by rough approximation from the extent of bag collapse.

Of significance also is the fact that when not in use, the hot water bottle, hose, and ttings ordinarily must be draped over shower pipes, valves, or the like, in the bathroom for complete drainage and convenience of access. Such conventional donching apparatus is thus frequently exposed to view and is regarded by many as unsightly. n

Compressible bulb donching devices have also been known but these too have been subject to certain difficulties. Being dependent upon forcible squeezing of the bulbs for liquid delivery, the velocity and pressure of the liquid is difficult to regulate. Similarly, the relatively small quantities of liquid contained by a single filling rnakes temperature control diflicult and the opaque nature of the bulbs makes observation of residual liquid impossible.

iarenthetically, it is to be noted that as used herein, the word douche is to be regarded as encompassing irrigation of any part of the body, whether external or internal. p

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved donching apparatus.

Another object is to provide a convenient concealing device for a douching apparatus when not in use.

Another object is to facilitate the mixing and other preparation ofl douching liquids and/or liquid medicaments. v

@rates arent.

Another object is to minimize the inconveniences and discomfort in administering a douche, particularly when self-administered.

Another object is to enable maintenance of a substantially uniform temperature and pressure of donching liquids during application thereof.

Another object is to enable observation of the contents of a douche tank from externally thereof.

Another object is to prevent access to a donching apl paratus when not in use for purposes of privacy and safety.

Another object is to provide a donching apparatus which is simple and economical in construction and to use, dependable in service, durable in form, and suited for installation in new and existing dwellings and other buildings, where needed.

These, together with other objects, will become more fully apparent upon reference to the following description and accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a donching apparatus embodying the principles of the present invention showing a cabinet thereof in cross section, other parts in front elevation, and still other hidden and phantom parts in dashed lines.

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section taken on a plane at a position represented by line 2--2 of Fig. 1 and additionally showing a fragmentary vertical section of a wall.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal cross section taken on a plane at a position represented by line 3-3 of Fig. 1 and also showing a fragment of a wall.

outer walls 10 and 11 are shown in Figs. 2 and 3 and are nailed to vertical studs 12. The outer wall provides an opening 13 in which is mounted the donching apparatus 14 of the subject invention.

The subject apparatus 14 includes a substantially rectangular cabinet 18 mounted in the opening 13 in the outer wall 11 in generally upright position. Preferably the apparatus is located in a bathroom intermediate a washbowl and a water closet, none of which is shown. rl`he cabinet has a rear panel 19 located between the inner and outer walls 10 and 11, and top, bottom and side panels 2t), 21 and 22 integrally outwardly perpendicularly extended from the rear panel and further extended outwardly of the outer Wall, as best seen in Fig. 2. Side brackets 24Yinterconnect the outer wall with the side panels of the cabinet. The cabinet panels described provide a compartment 26.

The cabinet 18 also includes a substantially rectangular door 30 including a door frame 31 in which is preferably mounted a mirror 32. The frame has top, bottom and side edges and vertically spaced hinges 33 are mounted along one of the side edges of the frame and connected to one of the side panels 22. A latch 34 has portions connected to the other side panel 22 and to the opposite side edge of the frame. The door is thus mounted on the side panel for swinging movement be tween an open position enabling access to the compartment 26 and af closed position in which it is releasably maintained by means of the latch. Although not specifically shown, the latch may incorporate means fo locking the door in closed position.

A substantially rectangular upwardly disposed tank 40 includes a back wall 41 positioned against the rear panel 19 of the cabinet 18 and secured thereto adjacent to its upper edge by means of fastening members 42 such as rivets, bolts, or the like. Preferably, the back wall has apertures 43 fitted over the fastening members so that the tank may be easily lifted and `removed from the cabinet for cleaning, replacement, or like purposes. The tank also has side walls 44 forwardly extended from the back wall and interconnected by a front wall 45 and a bottom wall 46, the latter also being connected to the front wall. The tank has an upwardly open top 47. Preferably, the tank is molded of transparent plastic to enable visual observation of the contents of the tank through the front or side walls. However, the tank may obviously also be constructed of metal, or of opaque or rubber. The `bottom wall has an outlet port 48 preferably located adjacent to one of the side walls 44 of the tank.

Upwardly disposed hooks 55 are secured to the rear panel 19 of the cabinet 18 in upwardly spaced relation to the side walls 44 of the tank 40, as best seen in Fig. l. An outlet valve 56 for the tank is connected to the outlet port 43 and includes a valve stem 57 for opening and closing the valve. An elongated flexible hose 53 has an end connected to the valve and an opposite discharge end to which is connected a vaginal or rectal discharge pipe 59. The hose is stored in the cabinet 18 by extending it over the hooks 55 above the tank 40 and allowing the discharge end and pipe 59 to hang downwardly along one side wall 44 of the tank, all as best seen in Fig. l.

Hot and cold main supply conduits 65 and 66 are upwardly extended between the inner and outer walls 10 and 11 and have lower ends adapted for connection to sources of hot and cold water under pressure in a manner not specifically shown but believed readily apparent. The main conduits `also have upper discharge ends to which are connected a common discharge spout 68 extended through and mounted in the rear panel .i9 of the cabinet 18 above the tank. The spout has a downwardly directed discharge end 69 directed toward the open top 47 of the tank 40. A tting 76 is provided for interconnecting the ends of the main conduits and the faucet. Het and cold water supply valves 75 and 76 are mounted in the rear panel 19 in transversely spaced relation above the spout and are connected individually in the hot and cold main supply conduits. Handles '77 and 78 extend forwardly of the rear panel for opening and closing these valves to turn the supply of hot and cold water on or off and also to adjust the temperature and pressure of the water discharged into the tank from the spout 68.

Operation The operation of the described douching apparatus 14 of the subject invention is believed to be readily apparent `but is briefly summarized at this point.

The door 30 is opened to gain access to the tank 4t). With the outlet valve 56 closed, the hot and cold water supply valves 75 and 76 are opened to admit a desired quantity of water into the tank. The level of water can be observed through the preferably transparent front or side walls 45 and 44 of the tank. Of course the desired water temperature is achieved by correlated adjustment of the supply valves.

The hose S is then removed from the hooks 55 and the pipe 59 held in douching position with one hand. The stern 57 of the outlet valve 56 is adjusted to open the outlet valve thereby to release fluid from the tank 40 for passage through the hose and administration to the body through the pipe. The rate of release is easily, quickly, and conveniently controlled by the outlet valve. To maintain the temperature and pressure of the released fluid substantially constant, the supply valves may be left open so that fluid at the desired temperature enters the tank at the same rate that it leaves. If medicaments, such as epsom salts, vinegar, soda water, and the like, are desired they are easily added and/or mixed through the open top 47 of the tank.

When the douche is completed, the outlet and supply valves 56, and 76 are closed. If any fluid remains in the tank 40 or the hose 58, it 'may be drained therefrom into an adjacent sink or water closet, not shown, by opening the outlet valve. rl'he hose is then draped over the hooks 55 with the pipe 59 hanging downwardly along one side 44 of the `tank 40. The door Sil is closed and preferably locked by the latch 34 thereby concealing the douching apparatus and insuring its privacy and safekeeping.

From the foregoing it will be evident that an apparatus has been provided for facilitating douching treatments of the body. The device is concealed when not in use but is readily and conveniently accessible for and in use. It allows uids employed to be delivered at more uniform temperatures and pressures than heretofore and generally minimizes the discomforts conventionally associated with such tasks.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In an upright wall having an opening therein; a body douching apparatus comprising a cabinet fitted in the opening in the wall, supported thereby, and including a rear panel, top, bottom and side panels forwardly extended from the rear panel, and an opaque front door mounted on one of the side panels for movement between a closed position in parallel relation to the rear panel and an outwardly extended open position; a substantially rectangular tank having a back wall mounted on the rear panel of the cabinet, side and bottom walls forwardly extended from the back wall and a transparent front wall interconnecting the side and bottom walls in spaced relation to the back wall, the front, side, and back walls circumscribing an upwardly disposed open top, the bottom wall having an outlet port therein; a spout mounted in the rear panel above the tank having a forward downwardly disposed outlet directly above the open top of the tank; hot and cold main supply conduits having ends connected to the spout and opposite ends adapted for connection to a source of hot and cold uid under pressure; supply valves individually connected in the main conduits and mounted in the rear panel of the cabinet having forwardly extended valve control handles; an outlet valve connected to the port in the tank; an elongated exible hose having an end connected to the outlet valve and an opposite discharge end; an elongated douche administering pipe connected to the discharge end of the hose; and a pair of hooks secured to the rear panel of the cabinet individually above the side walls of the tank for receiving the hose in draped condition over the tank.

2. The apparatus of claim l wherein the tank is made of transparent plastic and wherein means are mounted on the rear panel of the cabinet releasably supporting the tank therein.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,689,746 Norton Oct. 30, 1928 1,745,209 Donovan Ian. 28, 1930 1,766,724 Russow June 24, 1930 

